Bicycle Accident FAQ

Bicycle Accident FAQ

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, you likely have questions, many of which we can answer in the FAQ below. Our experienced bicycle accident attorneys understand how difficult life can be after a devastating accident. We know that you may have serious injuries and be unable to work and carry out activities of daily living. We can help. In addition to answering your questions in the FAQ below, we can help you make a claim against the person responsible for your injuries. Call us today at (424) 230–3240 to find out how we can help you.

Obtaining a Bicycle Attorney

What should I do after a bicycle accident?

After a bicycle accident, you should take the following steps:

Seek medical assistance right away. Some of your injuries may not be visible, so you should always see a doctor or go to the hospital after an accident.

Take pictures of visible injuries and property damage, such as your wrecked bike. Make sure you take pictures as you heal periodically as well to prove the amount of time it took to heal.

Keep receipts and bills for all expenses related to your accident. If you receive a bill from your doctor or a bicycle repair bill, give it to your lawyer.

Request a copy of the accident report from the police department. Make note of any witnesses that were at the scene and find their contact information.

Consult an attorney before speaking to any insurance company about your accident. Insurance companies will try to place the blame on your and settle for less than you deserve. Let an experienced attorney help.

Do I need a bicycle lawyer?

It can be difficult to decide what to do after a bicycle accident. With a free consultation, we can tell you within five to ten minutes whether you need an attorney. We will listen to your story and help you make difficult legal decisions. If you try to deal with the situation yourself, you may not get the compensation you need and deserve.

Will a bicycle attorney help me obtain more compensation?

In most cases, a cyclist will come out ahead if they hire an attorney. Even after paying a contingency fee, cyclists are more likely to obtain a large amount of compensation by hiring an attorney. Insurance companies have large teams of lawyers on their side who will try to get rid of your claim. They may place the blame on you or make a low-ball settlement offer. An attorney will see through their tactics and use strategies to get you more compensation than if you didn’t have one.

How will I pay my lawyer? What is a contingency fee?

Our lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis. That means our attorney fees are contingent upon you winning your case and obtaining compensation. We will get a certain amount or a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If you do not recover anything, then we do not get paid for our legal fees. However, you will be responsible for our actual out of pocket costs, as discussed below.

What types of costs will be associated with my claim? Do I have to pay those?

Our firm will pay for all costs up front. Those costs will be documented and taken out of your settlement or verdict funds. If you do not settle your case or recover through a jury verdict, you will still be responsible for those fees. Pre-litigation fees are usually minimal and rarely amount to more than a few hundred dollars. They include fees for:

Obtaining medical records;

Printing and copying;

Obtaining traffic collision reports;

911 record charges;

Travel expenses; and

Investigators.

Litigation costs can be expensive if your case is filed in court. Costs may include:

Court filing fees;

Deposition expenses;

Record subpoena expenses;

Expert witness expenses;

Mediation costs; and

Jury fees.

FAQ About Our Firm

Why do you specialize in bicycle accidents?

We understand the unique pain that can come from a bicycle accident. We know that these accidents can result in devastating injuries and severe pain and suffering. Moreover, we know that not only is a cyclist hurt in a bicycle accident, but their entire family suffers. We focus on the niche area of law surrounding bicycle accidents because we have specialized knowledge about state and local bicycle laws. We compassionately represent cyclists and provide empathy to them and their families.

Are you really the only local firm that specializes in bicycle accidents?

Other firms may call themselves “bicycle lawyers,” but they are either general practice attorneys or personal injury firms. They handle an array of personal injury accident cases, such as truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and more. We are the only firm locally that exclusively represents cyclists.

FAQ About Damages After a Bicycle Accident

How should I keep track of my expenses?

You should keep all receipts and bills that you receive from medical providers and bike repair shops. If you are off work, you should keep wage records and information about sick time and vacation time used. Also, keep a written record of all expenses, even if you buy Tylenol to help with sore muscles. Every expense you have can be recovered after a bike accident.

If my health insurance paid for my medical treatment, how will that affect my compensation?

Your health insurance company may file a subrogation lien against any recovery that you make. If you get a settlement or jury verdict, you may have to pay your health insurance company for the medical treatment they have covered. However, we will negotiate with your health insurance company to reduce their recovery as much as possible so that your compensation is maximized.